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Thread: Diver watch under £750 any recommendations

  1. #1
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    Diver watch under £750 any recommendations

    Next year I'll be getting a mid range diver watch, I was thinking of a Longines Hydroconquest or a Certina DS Action or possibly a Steinhart. But a couple of others have appeared on my radar the Review Thommen Professional 17030.2137 which is £500+ from Amazon, the Roamer Searock £700+, the Davosa Submariner and the Glycine Combat Sub.

    Has anyone got or used one of these? any recommendations or warnings?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Prs82
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  3. #3
    Any from Timefactors - PRS82 or PRS18.

    Otherwise a CWC, if they are still under £750.

  4. #4
    Master .olli.'s Avatar
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    I second the PRS and CWC recommendations above.
    Going slightly more niche, I recently serviced an Archimede Sporttaucher, which I thought was very nice and well made.

  5. #5
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    Buy a used PRS21 Dreadnought Voyager, you also get a GMT function thrown in.
    F.T.F.A.

  6. #6
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MurrayMint View Post
    Any from Timefactors - PRS82 or PRS18.

    Otherwise a CWC, if they are still under £750.
    Under 750?
    Prs82 AND a prs18!
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  7. #7
    Craftsman Waldorf's Avatar
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    I had the Hydroconquest, a very nice watch. Had trouble getting a comfortable fit on the bracelet due to it not having a half link. Replacement straps and natos are limited for choice due to the 21 & 19mm lug widths. Recently obtained a PRS82 and I love it. For the money I'd chose the Precista.

    Cheers

  8. #8
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    Can’t remember what link it was now but a chap doing YouTube reviews really plugged the Certina DS Action. It is properly ISO certified as well. The history of Certina is also rich. A proper watch company imho. Otherwise Seiko always has to be in with a shout. Just think with Certina ETA / swatch group links you’ve always got easy serving available.

  9. #9
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    With luck and a few more pennies in the pocket a used mm300 is attainable. Just sayin'.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  10. #10
    Master Frankie169's Avatar
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    I have a Certina DS with the sunburst blue dial, for the money it’s a stunning watch, amazing accuracy as well, gains 3 secs a week!!!! It’s got my vote for under £750

  11. #11
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    Or an SKX781 - the original orange monster, if you can find one.
    Maybe not “mid range” but a classic nonetheless

    Dave

  12. #12
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    Thanks, I must add that since I left the Army Reserve I've gone right off military watches, so stylistically the PRS isn't for me, I've kept my CWC G10 and diver for old time sake. So far as Seiko go I have a nice SKX 009 and have had some others but 009 apart Seiko don't really float my boat even given their undoubted quality and value for money.

    I'm rather looking for something Swiss, I'm a big Longines fan but they are at the top end of my budget, Certina and Roamer really arouse my interest. I've heard good things about Steinhart, conflicting information about Glycine and Review Thommen have come up on my radar.

    There are others of course Jaques Lemans, Davosa, Chris Ward etc. I'm not a label snob, the fact that Glycine is now owned by Invicta or that Chris Ward sell's direct and not through shops doesn't bother me at all unless quality is affected.

    Any discussion, photos, warnings and recommendations welcome. But £750 is my upper limit and can include used watches but £500'ish is more comfortable
    Last edited by James K; 13th December 2017 at 18:50.

  13. #13
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Squale 50 Atmos.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  14. #14
    Master Gavbaz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    Squale 50 Atmos.
    Great shout, fantastic watch for the money. Here is mine!

  15. #15
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    I had one once, it was OK but it had a hair on the orange hand and I hate orange hands so it drove me potty.


    Quote Originally Posted by Gavbaz View Post
    Great shout, fantastic watch for the money. Here is mine!

  16. #16
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    Scurfa bell diver has a real diver designing it and lots of good reviews and only around £350 .Deep blue make good diver watches as well

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  17. #17
    Master draftsmann's Avatar
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    The Omega f300 diver on SC is comfortably within your budget and is a very cool vintage diver!

  18. #18
    Master Gullers's Avatar
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    I am sure I’ll get tar and feathered for saying this but after trying loads of watches in this price bracket including multiple Christopher Ward, Steinhart, Longines HC Chrono, CWC, Seiko, PRS18 etc etc the one that’s stayed with me is a used Tag Heuer Aquaracer calibre 5.
    It works from a looks and durability / quality prospective.

  19. #19
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    PRS68 if you can get one. A mate had one - really impressed with it.

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  20. #20
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    I posted a similar thread earlier in the year, lots of info on there so it may be worth a search.

    In the end I went with the Steinhart Ocean One, absolutely love everything about it. Build quality is fantastic for the money and +2 secs per day. Steinhart would get my vote


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  21. #21
    Master
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    I have about 20 divers in the 300-1500 range. Ginault gets my vote. You should be able to haggle the manufacturer down to £7-800 on most models (from about £1100). Plus they now post from Edinburgh, so potential import costs are eliminated. I have two models: the no date maxi dial with black bezel and the maxi date with blue gold bezel. I can't fault either. Gorgeous dial, esp the sand lume indices, perfect size (40mm), elegant and refined tapering bracelet with v well engineered clasp and accurate to 2 secs per day.

  22. #22
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    I've owned a couple of Longines Hydroconquests (and my son has just bought one too). They are decent for the money as long as you can get a nice fit with the bracelet. I preferred the mkII model which they seem to have stopped making, as the bracelet tapered and was brushed. The crown on the Hydroconquest is a bit fiddly tho, and the crown guards could be a bit more elegant.
    You are almost at used Longines Legend Diver money at the top of your budget.. just saying.

    Also owned a Glycine Combat Sub.. again, decent enough. It is quite slim/light, but seemed well built. Not sure I like the new winged Logo used since Invicta bought them (and that's nothing to do with being snobby over Invicta.. as I own one of theirs.. in fact, check out the Pro-Diver 9937 model as another alternative).

    If it was my money... I'd be trying to hunt down a Tag Aquagraph and haggling to get it in your budget. Always had a hankering for one of those.

  23. #23
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    In that £500-£600 bracket I would be flipping a coin between an Oris TT1 and Longines Hydro-Conquest.

    However, I still rate my Victorinox Dive-Master 500 as the best "mid range" dive watch I've ever owned.
    ETA 2824 base, rock solid case, it feels utterly bulletproof. I think these days the auto retails around £1200 but the UK market was really hard on these, pick up a mint second hand one around £400 (IF you can find one - they didn't sell well over here).

  24. #24
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    I have an Oris TT1 and rate it highly

  25. #25
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    What about a Seiko Sumo / Blumo?

  26. #26
    Craftsman JeppeRober's Avatar
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    I have the newer version of the Certina Action Diver. Released at Basel this year with the Powermatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve. Timekeeping is excellent, mine gains 3 seconds per week. Great bracelet with diver’s extension and just a great looking watch IMO. Well within your budget.


  27. #27
    Master mindforge's Avatar
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    Ginault too, far better quality than the Steinharts. Great value. Easily within budget and quality worth over twice the price.

  28. #28
    At that price, Seiko pretty much owns the category, and it’s impossible to beat them at their own game. I’d much prefer one of their watches to an off-brand Sub-a-like.

  29. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by JeppeRober View Post
    I have the newer version of the Certina Action Diver. Released at Basel this year with the Powermatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve. Timekeeping is excellent, mine gains 3 seconds per week. Great bracelet with diver’s extension and just a great looking watch IMO. Well within your budget.

    I'm almost pull trigger on blue version of these, it's a nice watch with good price point

  30. #30
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    CWC for me. Owned a few myself and they are great value

  31. #31
    Master
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    Helson Sharkdiver. Very tough with immense lume with bracelet and isofrane strap options.

  32. #32
    Master JDB's Avatar
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    Marcello C Nettuno. Less than £500 if you can do without the ceramic bezel. The blue dial is particularly nice

  33. #33
    Master wellsy's Avatar
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    http://forums.watchuseek.com/f8/kemm...t-3719146.html

    I have one, fantastic quality case, way above the price point.

  34. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by Belligero View Post
    At that price, Seiko pretty much owns the category, and it’s impossible to beat them at their own game. I’d much prefer one of their watches to an off-brand Sub-a-like.
    I second this opinion and would recommend a second-hand sbbn031 or an older tuna.

  35. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by murtz View Post
    CWC for me. Owned a few myself and they are great value
    In my opinion they were once great value. Now I’m not so sure. Their astronomic price increases have put them in a place where there is some healthy competition from the new and used market.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Gullers View Post
    I am sure I’ll get tar and feathered for saying this but after trying loads of watches in this price bracket including multiple Christopher Ward, Steinhart, Longines HC Chrono, CWC, Seiko, PRS18 etc etc the one that’s stayed with me is a used Tag Heuer Aquaracer calibre 5.
    It works from a looks and durability / quality prospective.
    Nowt wrong with a Tag at the right price.
    Last edited by Bobbyf; 14th December 2017 at 18:13.

  36. #36
    Master reggie747's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mindforge View Post
    Ginault too, far better quality than the Steinharts. Great value. Easily within budget and quality worth over twice the price.
    I've never owned a Ginault so couldn't possibly comment but have owned about half a dozen Steinharts.
    Exactly how are you defining "far better quality" in this instance ?

    Genuine question too.

  37. #37
    Master mindforge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by reggie747 View Post
    I've never owned a Ginault so couldn't possibly comment but have owned about half a dozen Steinharts.
    Exactly how are you defining "far better quality" in this instance ?

    Genuine question too.
    From a place of complete ignorance and I'd rather hear from someone who has owned both and can comment. To my eye though the finishing looks rougher on the Steinharts but perhaps they just photograph worse. Apologies if my comment came across as inflammatory, I have just been very impressed by the Ginault's quality when compared to divers I have owned like the MM300 and the Tudor Black Bay. I'd consider the Ginault to be the equal of the former and the better of the latter.

  38. #38
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Naming a watch brand after a dexys midnight runner track is hardly an auspicious start. Maybe their new daytonalike will be called 'come on eileen'
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  39. #39
    Master super swin's Avatar
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    Orient sat diver 300m, nuff said!

  40. #40
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    Tutima

    My vote goes for a Tutima DI 300, because of its outstanding build quality and beautifully crafted titanium. Tough too. What’s more, Tutima watches aren’t ten a penny.

    I’ve had a Hydroconquest, Steinhart, Orient, several TAG Heuers and Tutima. By far the best quality was the Tutima - head and shoulders above the others.

    £750 should net you a used DI 300 in first class condition.
    Last edited by Dougal; 15th December 2017 at 00:45.

  41. #41
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    For me the field is narrowing a little. I'll explain why, CWC are fine but I already have two that I was issued with and I'm no longer serving so military watches no longer float my boat so that also discounts some of the Precista's. I have a nice Seiko 009 which I love and some others that I don't, I simply don't wish to own another Seiko at the moment. I'm not a fan of watches that look like industrial machinery, fine though they are for some the look does not do it for me.

    I own a beautiful 5513 that's been my friend and companion for the last 36 years so watches that keep their own look and spirit but are reminiscent of older, Rolex do have an appeal for me PROVIDING that they don't try to pass themselves off as Rolex. I wouldn't get a modern Rolex styled watch with chunky case and gold applied indices for the same reason that I wouldn't purchase a new Rolex (unless it was a stunning deal). All that means that Steinhart and Davosa are still very much in the running whilst Marcello don't make it.

    I'm also a bit odd, the chap who preferred Daimler to Jaguar, Bristol to Bentley and sometimes in some cases Tudor to Rolex. Which means that good, solid and established brands like Longines and Certina have the edge over possibly more desirable and better known ones like Tag Heuer or Omega (of which the latter is out of my range anyway).

    As for micro brands I like them but if I were going to get another it'd be a MKII by Bill Yao, I've had some of his both of which my son managed to have stolen when he's been away with the army, I like his workmanship, designs and since he was so very kind to me some years ago I have loyalty to him. But for the moment a Micro Brand watch hovers just outside my choices.

    I cannot stand orange hands, I hate them with a passion, so that discounts a few others. But the thing I hate the most is Plongeur (that isn't spelled right is it?) hands, I can't abide them and wouldn't even consider a watch with them unless it were free or dirt cheap.

    Still looking, still interested BUT the field is standing pretty much where it started

    Longines Hydroconquest (preferably the short lived model with Arabic numerals at each hour)
    Certina DS Action
    Steinhart Ocean One or Ocean One Vintage
    Davosa Ternos Vintage

    I'd gladly consider any others which fit into my broad description, but cost is important as is ease of purchase, so any photos, experience or comments welcome.

    Thanks

  42. #42
    Master WarrenVrs's Avatar
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    Eza sealander?

  43. #43


    I picked up a Turtle a couple of weeks ago, and I'm amazed that it comes in under £200, used, rubber and bracelet. I think it makes most dive watches up to about a monkey pretty redundant. The rubber strap is wonderful - the first rubber in 15 years of WIS that I've actually enjoyed wearing.

  44. #44
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    Seiko Sumo I. The blue for around £400 , can’t go wrong


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  45. #45
    Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    Under 750?
    Prs82 AND a prs18!
    Just finished working on a PRS 18A and I’m very impressed with the build quality. Not my style of watch, but I can definitely see the appeal and the value for money.

    Paul

  46. #46
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    I like that but never seen one before


    Quote Originally Posted by WarrenVrs View Post
    Eza sealander?

  47. #47
    Craftsman marcus.furius's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by James K View Post
    Thanks, I must add that since I left the Army Reserve I've gone right off military watches, so stylistically the PRS isn't for me, I've kept my CWC G10 and diver for old time sake. So far as Seiko go I have a nice SKX 009 and have had some others but 009 apart Seiko don't really float my boat even given their undoubted quality and value for money.

    I'm rather looking for something Swiss, I'm a big Longines fan but they are at the top end of my budget, Certina and Roamer really arouse my interest. I've heard good things about Steinhart, conflicting information about Glycine and Review Thommen have come up on my radar.

    There are others of course Jaques Lemans, Davosa, Chris Ward etc. I'm not a label snob, the fact that Glycine is now owned by Invicta or that Chris Ward sell's direct and not through shops doesn't bother me at all unless quality is affected.

    Any discussion, photos, warnings and recommendations welcome. But £750 is my upper limit and can include used watches but £500'ish is more comfortable
    Go to Goldmiths online and use the code in this picture to get yourself a longines Hydroconquest. You'll get 15% off and will be in your budget. Literally, just did this to get the picture.



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    Last edited by marcus.furius; 15th December 2017 at 18:36.

  48. #48

  49. #49
    Master Ian_O's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JDB View Post
    Marcello C Nettuno. Less than £500 if you can do without the ceramic bezel. The blue dial is particularly nice
    I’ll second that. I’ve had one for years and the quality is superb. It’s consistently +1 sec/day accuracy as well (mine is the SW200 version). I see it’s now £595 with the ceramic bezel at Chronomaster.

  50. #50
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    Quote Originally Posted by Qatar-wol View Post


    I picked up a Turtle a couple of weeks ago, and I'm amazed that it comes in under £200, used, rubber and bracelet. I think it makes most dive watches up to about a monkey pretty redundant. The rubber strap is wonderful - the first rubber in 15 years of WIS that I've actually enjoyed wearing.
    Congrats! This timepiece seems has a good quality-price ratio

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